Women Who Married Muslims in Poland Accused of ‘Biological Reason’
In EU member Poland, Poles who converted to Islam due to the anti-Islam and anti-immigrant policies of the right-wing government are seen as “traitors”, while Polish women marrying Muslim men are accused of “biological treason”.
Despite the fact that only 0.1 percent of the population in Poland, which has a population of 38 million, is Muslim, anti-Islamic discourses are widely covered in the media and political debates.
Xenophobia AGAINST WHITE AND NON-CATHOLIC
Anna Piela, visiting research fellow at Northwestern University in the USA, who conducts research on Islam and gender in Eastern Europe, evaluated the growing anti-Muslim opposition to the right-wing government elected in Poland in 2015. Stating that the right-wing Law and Justice Party (PiS), which has been in power in Poland since 2015, has seriously turned to right-wing discourses in the social and cultural field, “Anti-Muslim sentiment has increased in Poland. xenophobia specifically targets Poles who marry Muslims.” I said.
“MARRIAGE WITH A MUSLIM MAN IS CONSIDERED AS BIOLOGICAL BEAUTY”
Stating that there is a sexist aspect of anti-Muslim sentiment in Poland, Piela said, “Marriage of a Polish woman with a Muslim man is not seen as a ‘simple betrayal’. The woman is also seen as a biological betrayal of the nation state. Because she will have a child with a Muslim man.” used the phrase.
“LOW INCOME MIGRANTS ARE EXPOSED TO RACISM”
Pointing out that in the eyes of Poles, Muslim immigrants who do not work in high-income jobs are identified with kebab shops, Piela said, “Low-income immigrants are exposed to intense hate speech, discrimination and racism. The Muslim discourses faced by Poles who later became Muslims. It can be said that women in the country generally turn to Islam. These women are branded as a traitor to religion and the nation.” said.
“IT IS DIFFICULT TO FINISH WORK FOR DELAYERS”
Emphasizing that Poland is not different from other Eastern European countries in terms of anti-Muslimism, Piela said that in countries such as Poland, Hungary and Lithuania where few Muslims live compared to the total population, anti-Muslimism is defined as “Platonic Islamophobia”. Piela continued his words as follows: “The fact that Poland is very strongly Catholic does not make this country different from other Eastern European countries in terms of Islamophobia. European societies are united in a very ugly and terrible issue such as racism against Muslims. Know that the families of Europeans who converted to Islam have distanced themselves from them. “They later became Muslims. People who are marginalized in the society and start to carry Islamic symbols become marginalized in the society, thus it becomes difficult for those who become marginalized. It is to become a Muslim and find a job.” “Because they speak Polish fluently and don’t wear symbols often associated with Muslims, such as beards and headscarves, Tatars can escape the radar of anti-Muslim prejudice and attacks.”
NEW ARRIVALS TO THE COUNTRY MORE TARGET
Pointing out that Chechens, Turks and Arabs who settled in Poland before the refugee crisis were among the elements that make up the Muslim population in the country, Piela said that anti-Muslim sentiment in the society varies according to the socio-economic level. immigrants and newcomers were subjected to more racist attacks. Underlining that physical appearance and race also increase the likelihood of anti-Muslim attacks, Piela said that the people of the Middle East and Africa are more vulnerable to anti-Muslim attacks because of their skin color.
MUSLIMS ARE ONLY NEGATIVE REPAIRS IN THE MEDIA
Stating that the Pis government in Poland has controlled the central media since 2015, when it came to power, and that only negative examples were given in the representation of Muslims in the press, Piela said, “Government officials produce fabricated fears. While I was preparing the Polish section of the Europe 2019 Islamophobia Report, I did not encounter almost any positive Muslim representation in the media scans I made. Piela noted that Muslims are portrayed in the media as either terrorists or terrorists, followed by gender stereotypes, and the representation that “Muslims oppress women and want to dominate Polish women, especially if they have relationships”, is widely used in the media.
“POLES ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE TO HUMAN DIVERSITY ON THE STREETS”
Sharing the view that the filthy government maintained its power by fueling the social concerns of the people with anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim rhetoric, Piela said, “For the past century, Poland was an isolated country without minorities in sight. They can still have weird reactions when they meet someone who isn’t there.” Referring to the burka bans enacted in Europe, Piela said, “Many countries in Western Europe have banned the burqa, and these are naturally bans targeting Muslim women. Lithuania and Bulgaria have implemented similar burka bans. Technically, it will have no function. How will it work?” Many women in Lithuania wear veils that cover their face Three? In fact, 5-10 women are prevented from going out because they believe in religion. These are populist policies produced to gain political support. That is, the operationalization of Islamophobia for political reasons and purposes.”
